Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Study, 30047-30050 [2010-12795]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 103 / Friday, May 28, 2010 / Notices jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES (referred to as the ‘‘CHIP Working Group’’). The CHIP Working Group will meet to address objectives specified under section 311(b)(1)(C) of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This meeting is open to the public. DATES: Meeting Date: Monday, June 14, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (e.s.t.). Deadline for Registration without Oral Presentation: June 12, 2010, 12 p.m., e.s.t. Deadline for Registration of Oral Presentations: June 10, 2010, 12 p.m., e.s.t. Deadline for Submission of Oral Remarks and Written Comments: June 10, 2010, 12 p.m., e.s.t. Deadline for Requesting Special Accommodations: June 10, 2010, 12 p.m., e.s.t. ADDRESSES: Meeting Location: The meeting will be held at the Grand Hyatt Washington, 1000 H Street NW., Washington, DC 20001. Submission of Testimony: Testimonies should be mailed to Stacey Green, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail stop C2–04–04, Baltimore, MD 21244– 1850, or contact the DFO via e-mail at stacey.green@cms.hhs.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacey Green, DFO, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health and Human Services at (410) 786–6102, or Amy Turner, Employee Benefits Security Administration, DOL at (202) 693–8335. News media representatives must contact the CMS Press Office, (202) 690–6145. Please refer to the Internet at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/ FACA, or https://www.dol.gov/ebsa/ CHIP.html for additional information and updates on committee activities. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), this notice announces the second meeting of the Medicaid, CHIP, and Employer-Sponsored Coverage Coordination Working Group (‘‘CHIP Working Group’’). The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Labor are required under section 311(b)(1)(C) of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2009 (Pub. L. 111–3), enacted February 4, 2009, to jointly establish a CHIP Working Group. The membership of the group is based on nominations submitted in response to a Federal Register solicitation notice published on VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 May 27, 2010 Jkt 220001 May 1, 2009 (74 FR 20323). The CHIP Working Group will meet two times to develop a model coverage coordination disclosure form for group health plan administrators to send to States upon request regarding benefits available under the plan. This notice will enable States to determine the availability and cost-effectiveness of providing premium assistance to individuals eligible for benefits under titles XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act (the Act) to enable them to enroll in group health plans. The CHIP Working Group will identify and report on the impediments to the effective coordination of coverage available to families that include employees of employers that maintain group health plans and members who are eligible for medical assistance under title XIX of the Act or child health assistance or other health benefits coverage under title XXI of the Act. Not later than August 5, 2010, the CHIP Working Group must submit to the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services the model coverage coordination disclosure form and the report containing recommendations for appropriate measures for addressing the impediments to the effective coordination of coverage. II. Meeting Format and Agenda The meeting will commence with welcoming remarks from the CHIP Working Group by Departmental representatives. In addition, the agenda will focus on the following: • Introductions from Chair and CoChair. • Review of the draft model coverage coordination disclosure form for plan administrators of group health plans. The draft form is available for members of the public to review at https:// www.dol.gov/ebsa/CHIP.html. To submit written comments, follow the instructions listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. • Review of report containing recommendations for appropriate measures for addressing the impediments to the effective coordination of coverage between group health plans and title XIX and XXI State plans. • An opportunity for public comment and testimony. For additional information and clarification on these topics, contact the DFO as provided in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice. Individual or organizational stakeholders that represent the focus area of the CHIP Working Group wishing to present a 5-minute oral testimony on agenda issues must PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30047 register with the DFO by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. Testimony is limited to agenda topics only. The number of oral testimonies may be limited by the time available. A written copy of the presenter’s oral remarks must be submitted to the DFO for distribution to CHIP Working Group members for review before the meeting by the date listed in the ‘‘DATES’’ section of this notice. III. Meeting Registration and Security Information The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available. Persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by contacting the DFO at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice or by telephone at the number listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. Individuals requiring sign language interpretation or other special accommodations must contact the DFO via the contact information specified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by the date listed in the DATES section of this notice. Authority: (Section 1868 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ee) and section 10(a) of Pub. L. 92–463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)).) Dated: May 21, 2010. Marilyn Tavenner, Acting Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Dated: May 21, 2010. Michael L. Davis Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor. [FR Doc. 2010–12952 Filed 5–27–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120–01–P–4510–29–P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Study Office of Head Start. Notice of Public Comment. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The following Notice of Public Comment is in response to Section 649(f) Sub-Section (3) of the 2007 Head Start School Readiness Act (the Act) requiring the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register a plan of how the Secretary will carry out E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 30048 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 103 / Friday, May 28, 2010 / Notices jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES section 649 Sub-Section (f) SubParagraph (1) and shall provide a period for public comment. DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on or before 60 days after this notice is published. To Comment on This Document, or for Further Information Contact: MigrantFederalRegister@ HeadStartinfo.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, Public Law 110– 134, Section 649 [42 U.S.C. 9801]—SubSection 649(h)(1)(A–B), notice is hereby given of a plan to conduct a set of activities designed to focus on the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Head Start-eligible population. As required by the Act, the Secretary shall work in collaboration with providers of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Labor, the Bureau of Migrant Health, and the Secretary of Education to undertake the activities addressed in this notice. The notice is required to present: (1) A plan to ‘‘collect, report, and share data, within a coordinated system, on children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families, including health records and educational documents of such children, in order to adequately account for the number of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such children receive the services;’’ (2) a plan to ‘‘identify barriers that prevent children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services from accessing Head Start services;’’ and (3) ‘‘develop a plan for eliminating such barriers, including certain requirements relating to tracking, health records, and educational documents, and increasing enrollment.’’ Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) Plans (1) Collaboration across Federal agencies in order to adequately account for the number of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such children receive the services. Interagency Meetings. On December 5, 2008, ACF convened a meeting of representatives from the United States (U.S.) Department of Education (ED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Migrant Education; the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration; and the U.S. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 May 27, 2010 Jkt 220001 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Migrant Health; the HHS Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start (OHS), Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, and the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. The purpose of the meeting was to engage these agencies in discussing their efforts in collecting, reporting, and sharing data and lessons learned to enhance coordination among agencies at the Federal, State, and local levels. This meeting resulted in the organization of a series of Interagency Roundtables on Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers. The Roundtables will look at: • Data collection efforts affecting migrant and seasonal farmworker children and their families, including efforts to maintain and coordinate their health and education records: How are data efforts pursued and maintained? How are data collected and reported? What are the lessons learned from previous attempts at coordinating data collection efforts? • Accounting for the number of eligible children/workers, as well as the number of children/workers who receive services: How do various organizations identify gaps in their services? How can these approaches be improved? and • Identifying barriers that prevent eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families from accessing migrant and seasonal services: How can these barriers be reduced, ameliorated or eliminated? After a first planning meeting with agencies involved, the first Roundtable was held in April 2009 and focused on the Department of Education’s Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX) and the Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Worker’s Survey (NAWS). The second half of the day involved active discussions between the Federal representatives, addressing the topical questions in light of the presented information. An additional meeting was held on March 17, 2010. Systematic Data Collection: Accounting for the Number of Children Eligible Farmworkers are eligible for MSHS services based on mobility, employment, age of the children, and income. For the eligibility of migrants, the family must be primarily engaged in agricultural work and have changed geographical locations within the past 24 months in pursuit of agricultural work. For seasonal farmworkers eligible for MSHS, the parents must be primarily engaged in farmwork but need not have PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 changed geographical locations within the past 24 months. For both migrant and seasonal farmworkers, acceptable farmwork includes production and harvesting of tree and field crops. Production and harvesting of tree and field crops include preparing the soil, planting, cultivating, picking, packing, canning, and processing. Agricultural work that supports the crop production such as irrigation, crop protection, and operation of farm machinery are also included. Production and harvesting of greenhouse and nursery products may also be included. Eligible children range in age from newborn up to compulsory school age. Income requirements for families are based on poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The income of migrant and seasonal eligible families must be primarily derived from agricultural work. As OHS has been asked to account for the total number of MSHS-eligible children, it reviewed the data collection resources of other Federal agencies that are also currently serving or observing migrant and seasonal farmworkers. These included the Enumeration Studies of Migrant Health; Reports of Migrant Health Clinics; Data Transferring Efforts of Migrant Education; and the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) of the Department of Labor. The methodology of the Enumeration Profiles (Larson Assistance Services, Vashon Island; 1990; 2001; 2002) was very individualized per State and involved intensive effort. The results presented estimates of the number of farmworkers within a State and, when possible, by county and across age groups. The resulting profile estimations were based on secondary data analyses and the opinions of invested experts; the validity and reliability of the information was therefore undermined by the inherent variations in quality and quantity of data from State to State. There are 154 Federally funded migrant health center (MHC) entities, sponsored by the Office of Migrant Health, that collectively operate more than 500 satellite service sites that comprise a loosely knit network of independent organizations serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Their annual reports present the national and State number of farmworkers served by the clinic sites: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/uds/2007data/ National/migrant/ NationalTable3Amhc.htm. However, methodological and definitional issues currently undermine the possibility of using Migrant Health Clinic data to E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 103 / Friday, May 28, 2010 / Notices account for numbers of MSHS-eligible nationally. The HRSA definition of farmworkers eligible for service is similar to the MSHS definition in terms of the types of farmwork allowable and the mobility requirements. However, HRSA does not require the whole family to engage in agricultural work or to change geographical location in order to receive services. Methodologically, programs do not consistently share data across sites, so the cumulative count of individuals served may include workers who are counted more than one time as they migrate for work. Further, information about the entire family is not reported for each individual, so siblings that might be eligible for MSHS are not identified. Finally, migrant clinics are scattered across the U.S., but their distribution does not necessarily reflect a geographically representative profile of farmworkers in the U.S. Migrant Education of ED uses an extensive network of recruiters to actively identify eligible students in each area. The Migrant Education program uses a data transferring system to coordinate records across schools for children of migrant farmworkers. Again, definitional and methodological issues reduce the usefulness of these data for identifying the number of MSHSeligible nationally. Migrant Education services are available for children who traveled with their families within the past three years for purposes of a family member’s temporary or seasonal employment with agricultural, fishing, farming or logging. Further, Migrant Education recruiters are primarily interested in identifying eligible threeyear-olds through high school aged. Given these definitions, the number of children eligible for Migrant Education will differ markedly from those eligible for MSHS. OHS also reviewed an additional established methodology for accounting for the national population of migrant and seasonal farmworkers: The National Agricultural Worker’s Survey (NAWS). NAWS is a national, random sample survey of crop farmworkers in the continental U.S. that is housed at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The data is collected directly from agricultural workers, on an annual basis, using field survey methods. Estimates and data from this effort have been used by HRSA, Migrant Education, and DOLFarmworkers Job Programs. Topics covered by NAWS have included farmworker work histories and tasks, as well as health and housing. The survey methodology is complex, with sampling occurring three times per year to capture seasonal and geographic variations in the farmworker VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 May 27, 2010 Jkt 220001 population. NAWS interviewers travel to randomly selected counties, contacting an annual sample of approximately 500 agricultural employers to obtain cooperation for the survey. At the randomly selected agricultural establishments, interviewers draw a random sample of farmworkers and then administer the questionnaire. DOL calculates estimates of each State’s share of the Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers population based on a formula that includes several data sources, including the Census of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Quarterly Agricultural Labor Survey and NAWS. Strengths and weaknesses of each of these datasets are outlined in Steirman, Kissam, and Nakamoto, 1998. Estimating the national number of eligible MSHS children using NAWS data is a multi-step process. The first step is to calculate a size estimate for the national farmworker population (typically done using either the USDA Farm Labor Survey or the USDA Census of Agriculture). The second step is to identify the percent of the farmworker population eligible for MSHS and the average number of infant through preschool aged children per family (using three-year averages of NAWS data regarding percentages of farmworker families meeting eligibility requirements). From steps one and two, it is possible to estimate the national average of eligible migrant and seasonal children. To further refine these numbers to agricultural regions, it is necessary to incorporate data regarding the proportion of farmworkers within each region (USDA Farm Labor Survey), and multiply the national average of eligible by these proportions. Upon review of these methods, the NAWS methodology was identified as an established, carefully designed, large scale approach to estimating numbers of agricultural workers nationally and by agricultural regions. Beginning in February 2008, ACF partnered with DOL to use this established survey to gather a national estimate of MSHSeligible children (both migrant and seasonal). Estimates for seven multistate agricultural regions will also be calculated. In June 2009, the results from the pilot year of NAWS will be made available to OHS for review and discussion. Further minor refinement of the NAWS–MSHS questions will be ongoing, to ensure that children who match to the MSHS definition of eligible can be accurately identified. PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 30049 Additional Systematic Data Collection: Design for MSHS Survey A team of researchers, led by CDM, Inc., contracted in September 2007, to design the methodology for an MSHS Survey. The plans will detail multiple options for gathering descriptive data at varied levels of the MSHS organization (i.e., program, center, staff, children and/or families). The development activities included gathering of insight and suggestions from program staff, administrators and families who are currently or previously served by MSHS. Topics that could be addressed by the survey and the methods outlined for gathering the data have been substantially shaped and refined by this input from program stakeholders. After completion of the contract and review by ACF leadership, the report for the Design for MSHS Survey project will be placed online in late 2010. (1) A Plan To Identify Obstacles and Barriers Focus Groups. As a first step in developing a plan to identify barriers, ACF consulted with MSHS advocates, grantees, families and researchers attending the thirty-eighth and thirtyninth Annual Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Conferences in Washington, D.C. Potential themes regarding obstacles and barriers will be explored by providing venues that will allow opportunities for comment by key stakeholders. These discussions will be used to seek examples of high-quality recruitment and outreach efforts, details of families’ and programs’ perceptions of barriers, and potential solutions for reducing or eliminating barriers. The information gained through these venues is being analyzed and will be made available to Federal partners, Migrant and Seasonal Head Start grantees, and advocacy groups for comment and validation. Efforts for additional discussions with stakeholders are continually explored. Systematic Data Collection: Identification of Obstacles and Barriers As discussed extensively above, the NAWS is a national, random sample survey of crop farmworkers in the continental U.S. that is housed at DOL. Beginning in February 2008, ACF partnered with DOL to pilot a questionnaire supplement to NAWS, aimed at families with children under the age of six. The questionnaire supplement asks about: • Child care options used by the parents in recent months, • Reasons for those choices, • Parents’ knowledge of MSHS, E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1 30050 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 103 / Friday, May 28, 2010 / Notices • Families’ participation in MSHS, and • Any perceived obstacles to participation. The resulting information can be collected for multiple cycles of NAWS data, identifying potential issues in various agricultural regions over the course of the seasons. If continued for multiple years, it should be possible to identify trends in farmworker family child care use for their young children and family perceptions of MSHS. Systematic Data Collection: Incorporation of Related Questions in Design of MSHS Survey The design options for the MSHS Survey will include components that OHS could use to gather information regarding obstacles and barriers. Possible routes identified thus far include record reviews that could provide insight (e.g., review of local community needs assessments and program recruitment methods); gathering staff and parent opinions regarding obstacles and barriers to MSHS participation; or direct interviews with community partners and local advocacy organizations. The design contract will illuminate methodological and logistical considerations for collecting these types of data, and will be useful as OHS considers future data collection strategies. jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES (1) A Plan for Eliminating Identified Barriers and for Increasing Enrollment of Eligible Children Based on the information obtained from the Migrant and Seasonal Roundtables, and input from MSHS grantees, families, researchers, and private organizations involved in advocating for Migrant and Seasonal families, ACF will develop a plan that will articulate barriers identified through (1) and (2) above, propose methods for dealing with them that are within ACF’s legislative purview, and incorporate methods that require action by other Federal agencies or statutory changes. The plan for eliminating identified barriers will form the basis for a strategy to increase the enrollment of eligible children in MSHS, as appropriate. Dated: May 21, 2010. Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Director, Office of Head Start. [FR Doc. 2010–12795 Filed 5–27–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4184–40–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:43 May 27, 2010 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency Information Collection Activities: Form N–648, Revision of an Existing Information Collection Request; Comment Request ACTION: 30-Day Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Form N–648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. OMB Control No. 1615– 0060. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on February 1, 2010, at 75 FR 5099, allowing for a 60-day public comment period. USCIS received comments from three commenters. The comments and USCIS’ response can be found in the supporting statement on www.regulations.gov. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until June 28, 2010. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10. Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) USCIS Desk Officer. Comments may be submitted to: USCIS, Chief, Regulatory Products Division, Clearance Office, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20529–2210. Comments may also be submitted to DHS via facsimile to 202–272–8352 or via e-mail at rfs.regs@dhs.gov, and OMB USCIS Desk Officer via facsimile at 202– 395–5806 or via e-mail at oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. When submitting comments by e-mail please make sure to add OMB Control Number 1615–0060 in the subject box. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Evaluate whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques, or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Overview of this information collection: (1) Type of Information Collection: Revision of an existing information collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: Form N–648. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or households. USCIS uses Form N–648 issued by the medical professional to substantiate a claim for an exception to the requirements of section 312(a) of the Act. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: 20,000 responses at 2 hours per response. (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 40,000 annual burden hours. If you need a copy of the information collection instrument, please visit the Web site at: https://www.regulations.gov. We may also be contacted at: USCIS, Regulatory Products Division, 111 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20529–2210, Telephone number 202–272–8377. Dated: May 24, 2010. Stephen Tarragon, Deputy Chief, Regulatory Products Division, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. [FR Doc. 2010–12816 Filed 5–27–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–97–P E:\FR\FM\28MYN1.SGM 28MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 103 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30047-30050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-12795]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Study

AGENCY: Office of Head Start.

ACTION: Notice of Public Comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The following Notice of Public Comment is in response to 
Section 649(f) Sub-Section (3) of the 2007 Head Start School Readiness 
Act (the Act) requiring the Secretary to publish in the Federal 
Register a plan of how the Secretary will carry out

[[Page 30048]]

section 649 Sub-Section (f) Sub-Paragraph (1) and shall provide a 
period for public comment.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before 60 days after this notice is published.
    To Comment on This Document, or for Further Information Contact: 
MigrantFederalRegister@HeadStartinfo.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Improving Head Start for 
School Readiness Act of 2007, Public Law 110-134, Section 649 [42 
U.S.C. 9801]--Sub-Section 649(h)(1)(A-B), notice is hereby given of a 
plan to conduct a set of activities designed to focus on the Migrant 
and Seasonal Farmworker Head Start-eligible population. As required by 
the Act, the Secretary shall work in collaboration with providers of 
Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs, the Secretary of Agriculture, 
the Secretary of Labor, the Bureau of Migrant Health, and the Secretary 
of Education to undertake the activities addressed in this notice. The 
notice is required to present: (1) A plan to ``collect, report, and 
share data, within a coordinated system, on children of migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers and their families, including health records and 
educational documents of such children, in order to adequately account 
for the number of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are 
eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such 
children receive the services;'' (2) a plan to ``identify barriers that 
prevent children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are eligible 
for Head Start services from accessing Head Start services;'' and (3) 
``develop a plan for eliminating such barriers, including certain 
requirements relating to tracking, health records, and educational 
documents, and increasing enrollment.''

Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) Plans

    (1) Collaboration across Federal agencies in order to adequately 
account for the number of children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers 
who are eligible for Head Start services and determine how many of such 
children receive the services.
    Interagency Meetings. On December 5, 2008, ACF convened a meeting 
of representatives from the United States (U.S.) Department of 
Education (ED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of 
Migrant Education; the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 
Office of Migrant Health; the HHS Administration for Children and 
Families, Office of Head Start (OHS), Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, 
and the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. The purpose of the 
meeting was to engage these agencies in discussing their efforts in 
collecting, reporting, and sharing data and lessons learned to enhance 
coordination among agencies at the Federal, State, and local levels. 
This meeting resulted in the organization of a series of Interagency 
Roundtables on Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.
    The Roundtables will look at:
     Data collection efforts affecting migrant and seasonal 
farmworker children and their families, including efforts to maintain 
and coordinate their health and education records: How are data efforts 
pursued and maintained? How are data collected and reported? What are 
the lessons learned from previous attempts at coordinating data 
collection efforts?
     Accounting for the number of eligible children/workers, as 
well as the number of children/workers who receive services: How do 
various organizations identify gaps in their services? How can these 
approaches be improved? and
     Identifying barriers that prevent eligible migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers and their families from accessing migrant and 
seasonal services: How can these barriers be reduced, ameliorated or 
eliminated?
    After a first planning meeting with agencies involved, the first 
Roundtable was held in April 2009 and focused on the Department of 
Education's Migrant Student Information Exchange (MSIX) and the 
Department of Labor's National Agricultural Worker's Survey (NAWS). The 
second half of the day involved active discussions between the Federal 
representatives, addressing the topical questions in light of the 
presented information. An additional meeting was held on March 17, 
2010.

Systematic Data Collection: Accounting for the Number of Children 
Eligible

    Farmworkers are eligible for MSHS services based on mobility, 
employment, age of the children, and income. For the eligibility of 
migrants, the family must be primarily engaged in agricultural work and 
have changed geographical locations within the past 24 months in 
pursuit of agricultural work. For seasonal farmworkers eligible for 
MSHS, the parents must be primarily engaged in farmwork but need not 
have changed geographical locations within the past 24 months. For both 
migrant and seasonal farmworkers, acceptable farmwork includes 
production and harvesting of tree and field crops. Production and 
harvesting of tree and field crops include preparing the soil, 
planting, cultivating, picking, packing, canning, and processing. 
Agricultural work that supports the crop production such as irrigation, 
crop protection, and operation of farm machinery are also included. 
Production and harvesting of greenhouse and nursery products may also 
be included. Eligible children range in age from newborn up to 
compulsory school age. Income requirements for families are based on 
poverty guidelines updated annually in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services. The income of migrant and 
seasonal eligible families must be primarily derived from agricultural 
work.
    As OHS has been asked to account for the total number of MSHS-
eligible children, it reviewed the data collection resources of other 
Federal agencies that are also currently serving or observing migrant 
and seasonal farmworkers. These included the Enumeration Studies of 
Migrant Health; Reports of Migrant Health Clinics; Data Transferring 
Efforts of Migrant Education; and the National Agricultural Workers 
Survey (NAWS) of the Department of Labor.
    The methodology of the Enumeration Profiles (Larson Assistance 
Services, Vashon Island; 1990; 2001; 2002) was very individualized per 
State and involved intensive effort. The results presented estimates of 
the number of farmworkers within a State and, when possible, by county 
and across age groups. The resulting profile estimations were based on 
secondary data analyses and the opinions of invested experts; the 
validity and reliability of the information was therefore undermined by 
the inherent variations in quality and quantity of data from State to 
State.
    There are 154 Federally funded migrant health center (MHC) 
entities, sponsored by the Office of Migrant Health, that collectively 
operate more than 500 satellite service sites that comprise a loosely 
knit network of independent organizations serving migrant and seasonal 
farmworkers. Their annual reports present the national and State number 
of farmworkers served by the clinic sites: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/uds/2007data/National/migrant/NationalTable3Amhc.htm. However, 
methodological and definitional issues currently undermine the 
possibility of using Migrant Health Clinic data to

[[Page 30049]]

account for numbers of MSHS-eligible nationally. The HRSA definition of 
farmworkers eligible for service is similar to the MSHS definition in 
terms of the types of farmwork allowable and the mobility requirements. 
However, HRSA does not require the whole family to engage in 
agricultural work or to change geographical location in order to 
receive services. Methodologically, programs do not consistently share 
data across sites, so the cumulative count of individuals served may 
include workers who are counted more than one time as they migrate for 
work. Further, information about the entire family is not reported for 
each individual, so siblings that might be eligible for MSHS are not 
identified. Finally, migrant clinics are scattered across the U.S., but 
their distribution does not necessarily reflect a geographically 
representative profile of farmworkers in the U.S.
    Migrant Education of ED uses an extensive network of recruiters to 
actively identify eligible students in each area. The Migrant Education 
program uses a data transferring system to coordinate records across 
schools for children of migrant farmworkers. Again, definitional and 
methodological issues reduce the usefulness of these data for 
identifying the number of MSHS-eligible nationally. Migrant Education 
services are available for children who traveled with their families 
within the past three years for purposes of a family member's temporary 
or seasonal employment with agricultural, fishing, farming or logging. 
Further, Migrant Education recruiters are primarily interested in 
identifying eligible three-year-olds through high school aged. Given 
these definitions, the number of children eligible for Migrant 
Education will differ markedly from those eligible for MSHS.
    OHS also reviewed an additional established methodology for 
accounting for the national population of migrant and seasonal 
farmworkers: The National Agricultural Worker's Survey (NAWS). NAWS is 
a national, random sample survey of crop farmworkers in the continental 
U.S. that is housed at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The data is 
collected directly from agricultural workers, on an annual basis, using 
field survey methods. Estimates and data from this effort have been 
used by HRSA, Migrant Education, and DOL-Farmworkers Job Programs.
    Topics covered by NAWS have included farmworker work histories and 
tasks, as well as health and housing. The survey methodology is 
complex, with sampling occurring three times per year to capture 
seasonal and geographic variations in the farmworker population. NAWS 
interviewers travel to randomly selected counties, contacting an annual 
sample of approximately 500 agricultural employers to obtain 
cooperation for the survey. At the randomly selected agricultural 
establishments, interviewers draw a random sample of farmworkers and 
then administer the questionnaire. DOL calculates estimates of each 
State's share of the Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers population based on a 
formula that includes several data sources, including the Census of 
Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Quarterly 
Agricultural Labor Survey and NAWS. Strengths and weaknesses of each of 
these datasets are outlined in Steirman, Kissam, and Nakamoto, 1998.
    Estimating the national number of eligible MSHS children using NAWS 
data is a multi-step process. The first step is to calculate a size 
estimate for the national farmworker population (typically done using 
either the USDA Farm Labor Survey or the USDA Census of Agriculture). 
The second step is to identify the percent of the farmworker population 
eligible for MSHS and the average number of infant through pre-school 
aged children per family (using three-year averages of NAWS data 
regarding percentages of farmworker families meeting eligibility 
requirements). From steps one and two, it is possible to estimate the 
national average of eligible migrant and seasonal children. To further 
refine these numbers to agricultural regions, it is necessary to 
incorporate data regarding the proportion of farmworkers within each 
region (USDA Farm Labor Survey), and multiply the national average of 
eligible by these proportions.
    Upon review of these methods, the NAWS methodology was identified 
as an established, carefully designed, large scale approach to 
estimating numbers of agricultural workers nationally and by 
agricultural regions. Beginning in February 2008, ACF partnered with 
DOL to use this established survey to gather a national estimate of 
MSHS-eligible children (both migrant and seasonal). Estimates for seven 
multi-state agricultural regions will also be calculated. In June 2009, 
the results from the pilot year of NAWS will be made available to OHS 
for review and discussion. Further minor refinement of the NAWS-MSHS 
questions will be ongoing, to ensure that children who match to the 
MSHS definition of eligible can be accurately identified.

Additional Systematic Data Collection: Design for MSHS Survey

    A team of researchers, led by CDM, Inc., contracted in September 
2007, to design the methodology for an MSHS Survey. The plans will 
detail multiple options for gathering descriptive data at varied levels 
of the MSHS organization (i.e., program, center, staff, children and/or 
families). The development activities included gathering of insight and 
suggestions from program staff, administrators and families who are 
currently or previously served by MSHS. Topics that could be addressed 
by the survey and the methods outlined for gathering the data have been 
substantially shaped and refined by this input from program 
stakeholders. After completion of the contract and review by ACF 
leadership, the report for the Design for MSHS Survey project will be 
placed online in late 2010.
(1) A Plan To Identify Obstacles and Barriers
    Focus Groups. As a first step in developing a plan to identify 
barriers, ACF consulted with MSHS advocates, grantees, families and 
researchers attending the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth Annual Migrant 
and Seasonal Head Start Conferences in Washington, D.C. Potential 
themes regarding obstacles and barriers will be explored by providing 
venues that will allow opportunities for comment by key stakeholders. 
These discussions will be used to seek examples of high-quality 
recruitment and outreach efforts, details of families' and programs' 
perceptions of barriers, and potential solutions for reducing or 
eliminating barriers. The information gained through these venues is 
being analyzed and will be made available to Federal partners, Migrant 
and Seasonal Head Start grantees, and advocacy groups for comment and 
validation.
    Efforts for additional discussions with stakeholders are 
continually explored.

Systematic Data Collection: Identification of Obstacles and Barriers

    As discussed extensively above, the NAWS is a national, random 
sample survey of crop farmworkers in the continental U.S. that is 
housed at DOL. Beginning in February 2008, ACF partnered with DOL to 
pilot a questionnaire supplement to NAWS, aimed at families with 
children under the age of six. The questionnaire supplement asks about:
     Child care options used by the parents in recent months,
     Reasons for those choices,
     Parents' knowledge of MSHS,

[[Page 30050]]

     Families' participation in MSHS, and
     Any perceived obstacles to participation.
    The resulting information can be collected for multiple cycles of 
NAWS data, identifying potential issues in various agricultural regions 
over the course of the seasons. If continued for multiple years, it 
should be possible to identify trends in farmworker family child care 
use for their young children and family perceptions of MSHS.

Systematic Data Collection: Incorporation of Related Questions in 
Design of MSHS Survey

    The design options for the MSHS Survey will include components that 
OHS could use to gather information regarding obstacles and barriers. 
Possible routes identified thus far include record reviews that could 
provide insight (e.g., review of local community needs assessments and 
program recruitment methods); gathering staff and parent opinions 
regarding obstacles and barriers to MSHS participation; or direct 
interviews with community partners and local advocacy organizations. 
The design contract will illuminate methodological and logistical 
considerations for collecting these types of data, and will be useful 
as OHS considers future data collection strategies.
(1) A Plan for Eliminating Identified Barriers and for Increasing 
Enrollment of Eligible Children
    Based on the information obtained from the Migrant and Seasonal 
Roundtables, and input from MSHS grantees, families, researchers, and 
private organizations involved in advocating for Migrant and Seasonal 
families, ACF will develop a plan that will articulate barriers 
identified through (1) and (2) above, propose methods for dealing with 
them that are within ACF's legislative purview, and incorporate methods 
that require action by other Federal agencies or statutory changes. The 
plan for eliminating identified barriers will form the basis for a 
strategy to increase the enrollment of eligible children in MSHS, as 
appropriate.

    Dated: May 21, 2010.
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes,
Director, Office of Head Start.
[FR Doc. 2010-12795 Filed 5-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-40-P
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